Flap torque tube slot seal

Abstract

An inboard wing trailing edge flap of an aircraft has a flap carriage mechanism located within the fuselage or a fuselage/wing fairing structure, and the flap is attached to the carriage by a torque tube which penetrates the side of the fuselage. A slot is required in the fuselage through which the torque tube can travel as the flap is extended and retracted. The slot is covered when the flap is fully retracted, but when the flap is fully extended, airflow through the slot toward the upper surface of the flap causes the flap to lose lift. Therefore, airflow blocker doors are provided for closure of the slot when the flap is fully extended. The doors are held in a closed position by a pressure differential across the slot and by spring-loaded hinges; and the doors are adapted to be opened by engagement of a ramp cam member mounted to the flap torque tube, as the flap is retracted.

I claim: 
     
       1. Apparatus for blocking airflow through an opening in the side of an aircraft fuselage adjacent to an inboard wing trailing edge flap, comprising: said flap having a torque tube and being translatable between a forward position and an aft position spaced from said forward position; said fuselage side opening being a curved slot for receiving said flap torque tube therethrough and providing clearance for said flap torque tube during extension and retraction of said flap: doors mounted adjacent to the curved slot opening for blocking passage of air through the slot to the upper surface of said flap when said flap is in a fully extended position; and cam means mounted to said flap torque tube for opening said doors to expose the curved slot opening in response to retraction movement of said flap. 
     
     
       2. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising: a biasing means associated with said doors for biasing them toward a closed position to cover the curved slot opening. 
     
     
       3. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising: a panel mounted to a side of said doors and being peripherally contoured for insertion into the curved slot opening to form a surface flush with the side surface of the aircraft fuselage, when said doors are positioned for blocking passage of air through the slot.